NEW DELHI: In a sharp response to US President Donald Trump’s derogatory repost in social media terming India as "hellhole", the Centre on Thursday remarked that the comments are ‘uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste’.
Responding to the controversial remarks, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that it does not reflect the reality of the India-US relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests.
“We have seen the comments, as also the subsequent statement issued by the US Embassy in response. The remarks are obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” said Jaiswal.
Hours after Trump reposted American political commentator and radio host Michael Savage's podcast, where he made the acerbic remarks, the US went into a damage control mode by putting out a message that the President believes India is a "great" country led by a "good friend of mine".
In the podcast, Savage' referred to India, China and some other countries as "hell-holes" and called for changes in the US’ birthright citizenship law. He also termed Indian and Chinese immigrants as "gangsters with laptops" who have "stepped on our flag.
Responding to the queries from the Indian media about the controversy, the spokesperson of the US embassy said, “The President has said "India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top". However, the spokesperson did not specify where and when Trump made the remarks that India is a great country.
Trump’s remarks invited scathing criticism from Opposition parties including Congress. In a post on X, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Modiji's dear friend, 'Namaste Trump' has shared a note abusing India and using an extremely disparaging term. Modi ji remains absolutely mum on these ridiculous utterances.
MEA Spokesperson said 'That is where I leave it' Indians have played a vital role in America's success. What is stopping us to raise this at the highest levels of the American government". Kharge was referring to MEA’s earlier response that "We have seen some reports. That is where I leave it."
Trump also shared the transcript and video of Savage's podcast ‘Savage Nation', which said,
"A baby here becomes an instant citizen, and then they bring in their entire family from China, or India, or some other hell-hole on the planet".
"They've done more damage to this nation than all the mafia families put together. In my unhumble opinion. Gangsters with laptops. They've robbed us blind, treated us like second-class citizens, let the turd world triumph, stepped on our flag, et cetera," Savage wrote.